The National tribune., 1887-07-14
Department Gleanings.
DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS.


DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS
DEAR TRIBUNE: The Department Of illinois,
N.RC, Is booming. there having been 10 Corps
organized since last Convention at the following
places: Metropolis. Bushnell. Homer. Carthage,
Cherry Point, Chebanse, Brighton Park DE Witt
Beihany and Wauconda. A large Corps will be
organized at Danvile on the eth; also one Mt
Beardstown the same date. The Corps throughout
the State have responded nObly to the General
order asking them to send comforts To- the Soldiers
Home at Quincy. Money has been donated for
easy chairs, clocks. looking glasses and blinds.
While at least . boxes of books, plants and domes-
tic articles for the comfort OF the have also
Deeh sent by the Corps, and the good work con-
tinues. Our Department Commander indorses our
cause IN iull. Harmony prevails throughout our
state. and Illinois Is surely coming to the front.
Headquarters. Department Of Illinois, have been
ior National Convention, where Department PTesi-
dent and her staff will gladly extend the fraternal
hand TO all who may wish 10 register there.
Godfrey Wicizel Post, No. -. Of Chicago have
larry TO their Post, stating that the request was
unanimously made by the Post.-Department
Headquarters, Delavan, Ill.
DEPARTMENT OF IOWA.
DEAR TRIBUSE Memorial Day was observed In
Des Moines, as has been customary, with the ut
most interest. The exercises were arranged for
and conducted by the Sons Of Veterans and were a
credit To these worthy scions of noble sircs. The
city was thTongrd by patriotic citizens, whose
grave, serious faces aud subdued sOlemnity of
bearing was evidence TO all that they realized that
TINS was most sacred day. almost "A re-burial Of
o1r soldier dead. The procession several
MIXES In length. and very Imposing. The orations
AT The cemetery were indeed gems of oTAtory. aud
the singing very fine. II was study to watch the
faces OF some OF the veterans during the speaking.
AT the recital of battles fought and victories
hardly won. their faces fairly glowed with patri-
otle iervor, and the stern eye aud undaunted
countenance showed they were in thought, living
over again the scenes OF the war. As the topic
changed to hardships endured, prison horrors
hospital life of the wounded aud sick the weary
Psf Of al he Ia h..
sickness from which many of our brave BOYS
died, 10. the changed The faces became tender
ana sorrOwiul. while tears flowed unrestrained.
lhen, AT The recital of indigniies and insults cast
upon both living and dead In these later days they
were the brave, courageous soldier. ready If needs
be, 10 light again for country and right We
thought, what nation has men 80 loyal aud valient,
SO tender and true? The three Relief Corps OF
this city furnished and arranged the flowers
which were placed upon the graves Of soldiers
by the daughters of the veterans. The graves were
marked by flag placed az the head of each
which remains throughout the year
kinsman Corps the first organized I'm this CITY
and OF which had the honor To preside until re-
signed Oh being elected To the Department Presi-
dency, erected a monument twined with evergreen
aud Grape and decorated with flowers. in memory
OF the unknown dead. On the top Of this monn-
ment was placed "A large eagle. bearing In his beak
"A nag and memorial badge. This was G. token Of
loving remembrance to him who was the stanch
friend, the faithful advisor of the Woman's Relief
Corps, Gen. Logan. KinsIaan Corps also asked of
the city lot IA the cemetery for the burial of the
lot Our request was cleeTfully granted and no
wife of "A soldier, no matter how poor, will again
be buried in the paupers' field.
The loyalty of tire people of Iowa IL proverbal
and the GAR seem to have been endowed with a
spirit of prophecy in eecting their Department
Commander Tor this year. The keen sense of just
Ice and the undaunted courage n well IA the dig
nthed determination. with which he met the St
Louis combination. and the prompt protest against
the surrender Of rebel battleiisgs; his appeal to
Gov larTabee To file formal protest with the Presi-
dent against the return Of the same prove Gen
futile the man for the time. and the honorable
position Of Department Commander of Iowa Aud
who but our Gov. Larrabee would so unhesitat-
lngiy respond to this request and take firm stand
for right and the soldiers of Iowa?
The members Of the " re profTer their appre-
citation of the wisdom of these loyal men, and their
hearty cooperation ia any attempt for the up-
building ofthe principles Of loyalty and rigid justice
10 the Grand Army OF the RepublicsCiara r.
Nichols. Past Department President.
CHELSEA SOLDIERS HOME.
DEAR TRIBUNE: June the Ladies' Aid A.so-
citation held picnic at the Soldiers Home. Chel-
sea. Mass. think that every one enjoyed il very
much. indeed. We had the pleasure Of listening
To reading by Oliver Wendell Holmes. also sipe.-
ing by Mrs. West OF Boston. wish TO speak Of
the kindness and attention shown NJ by the in
mates OF the Home, especially the AsijUant, who
was kind enough To look up special ones WHOM
much desired TO see. The following lines are a
tribute 10 the Home:
OUR HOMELESS HEROEs
We climbed the steep OF Powderhorn;
We SAW above Us on the hight
The pleasant Chelsea Soldiers Home;
On the greensward about II strIyed
small groups of men in Yankee blue"
y he blue they wore ia days gone by
When peace had fed aud WAS new
Tie peaceful scene, the happy mien
Oi thuse worn veterans chatting there,
Had naught to tell what they had seen
or want and woe. and heavy care.
But when we looked into each face
Aud saw la every the trace
or conflicts seen, of battles won.
Of labor ended here for SOME
We could hut say. in very truth,
How glad are we their weary feet
At last have found this sweet retreat
Beside his cot one sat that day,
His useless feet before him spread;
lie looked 80 helpless there alone
His crutches lay upon the bed
: How many times have you passed down
The steps that lead to Chelsea town"
a o bless you. lady dear" he said;
: Those two poor sticks there on the bed
Are all have when have strength
To leave this room for any length;
Aud here do expect 10 stay,
The weary days that come and 60,
Ere my iual Home shall know.
What brings these ladies here to-day
In numbers more than can tell;
To what docs II amount, pray?"
20, broken soldier they are here
some ways and means To make for thee,
The comforts that attend you here, !
Continue on in lasting cheer" |
= o. yes, understand II now;
sod bless them ALL they good
To come To Ia la this kind wAy.p
But then thought, full well they may,
For many "a one recalls the day
When loved ones fell la battle smoke
As through the rebel lines they broke;
Dr. died beside some gisteninE stream,
Whose waters Knocked their feveTed dreamf
Dr. langui-hed in some prison place,
md looked long months in Deaths grim faoa
3efOre would come that sweet release
from torture To endless peace.
low can we Ia return for these,
Sui give our all. our time. TO please
The poor and broken remnants hore.
Df what WAS once our only hope,
hat stood between aud the foe
Between us aud dishonor sore,
Md In the pains and wounds they bore
lark ed out for Us n pathway sweet
Where freedom walks with happy feet:
Where chains falls OFF. and flowers bloom,
And cheer the pathway to the tomb
lI myTiads of that helpless race
lao bowed beneath their Fathers face
'ayes of their brother man.
talked To many there that day.
Ina some were weary, some were gay.
)ne said To me. almost In tears
o. weary round of weary yearsl
low many times I've wished lny
bead by a rebel musket- ball,
Sor lived 10 suffer year by year,
Till God sees fit 10 end IL all"